Cumbria Constabulary want to make sure that you can live a life free from fear and abuse. We are here to protect you.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour or violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults aged 18 and over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender.

How to get help

No-one should be subjected to any form of domestic abuse. If you are in immediate danger call the police on 999. We are here to listen, provide help and immediate medical assistance if required.

The Police

The primary role of the police is to prevent and detect crimes that have been committed. The over-riding concern of the police is to ensure the safety of the victim and to reduce the risk of further violence to anyone who may be present. The police will listen, provide help and immediate medical assistance if required. Firm legal action can be taken to bring offenders before the courts, this includes arrest and detention.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA), who work independently of the Police, and can offer:

• Claims the lives of two women each week and 30 men per year
• Is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide in women aged 19-44, greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents
• 1 child dies each week as a result of abuse
• In 90% of domestic abuse cases the children are in the same or next room during a violent attack
• Costs in excess of £23bn a year
• Has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police)
• Will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime Domestic abuse can occur within ANY relationship, at any stage, or continue even after a relationship has ended
• Domestic abuse cuts across all boundaries of class, race, sexuality and lifestyle and is accountable for a quarter of all violent crime
• Domestic abuse is a crime. Don't tolerate it, seek help.

Stalking

Stalking includes the following of a person about or the watching or frequenting of the vicinity of, or an approach to a person’s place of residence, business or work or any place that a person frequents for the purposes of any activity.

Stalking involves a persistent course of conduct or actions by a person which are intended to maintain contact with, or exercise power and control over another person.  These actions cause distress, loss of control, fear or harassment to another person and occur more than once.

Stalking can involve threats or sexual innuendo and the stalker generally tries to intimidate or induce fear in the person they are stalking.  The person being stalked may only realise they are being stalked once they identify a pattern of strange or suspicious incidents occurring, such as:

• phone calls
• text messages
• messages left on social networking sites (My Space, Face book)
• notes left on their car
• flowers left at their home
• an awareness that they are being followed
• being continually stared at by another person.
• The person being stalked often develops a sense of loss of control over their lives and is forced into changing their life routine and behaviours. 

Stalking is committed when a person:

Intentionally and persistently without legitimate reason engages in a course of conduct directed at another specific person against their will.
This causes the other person to develop fear, or to believe that harm would come to them.
Simply this means that whatever intentional actions the stalker takes to put you in fear can be considered stalking when it occurs more than once and against your will.

Digital Stalking

Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims
Author: Jennifer Perry

Women’s Aid has teamed up with national stalking charity Network for Surviving Stalking to launch a practical guide for victims of stalking. ‘Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims’ is an important resource for all stalking victims, including the many survivors of domestic violence who are being stalked by an ex-partner. It explains the wide range of technological risks for those being stalked, including use of Spyware on personal computers, tracking devices on mobile phones and tracking of information through social networking sites.

Click here to download the free document.

Support and Prevention Advice

Since April 2006, the Victim's Code of Practice came into force. CJS Online has information about the Code and attending court as a victim. You will also find guidance for vulnerable or intimidated victims, including children, on the website. You can view a Victim Virtual Walkthrough at CJS Online

Not in My Home - The groundbreaking website - www.NotinMyHome.co.uk, is managed by Derwent and Solway Housing Association and assists those experiencing domestic abuse or those aware it is happening to report incidents in a completely confidential environment on a specially encrypted online reporting form.

The site, which is the first of its kind in the country, is aimed at encouraging more West Cumbrian victims, and those who think domestic violence is occurring, to seek help. It is being piloted in West Cumbria and if successful, will be rolled out across the county.

West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support Group (The Freedom Project) - 07712 117986. If no immediate answer, please leave a message and someone will call back

Women's Aid

National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247

Broken Rainbow - 0300 999 5428 is a helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence. The LGBT operators are highly trained and experienced in the specifics of LGBT domestic violence. Website: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk

Opening hours for the helpline are:

Mon 2pm-8pm
Wed 10 am-1pm
Thur 2pm-8pm